Adjustable ski harness



H. W. HEDLUND ADJUSTABLE SKI HARNESS Filed Aug. 29, 1960 May 7, 1963INVEN TOR.

Hzzrg WJM United States Patent Oftice 3,088,137 Patented May 7, 1963Manufacturing Company, Nokomis, Ill., a corporation of Illinois FiledAug. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 52,727 13 Claims. (Cl. 9-310) This inventionrelates to ski harnesses having an adjustable binder structure and moreparticularly to a ski harness having improved support-guide means foradjustably supporting the binder structure for movement between aplurality of positions to enable the binder structure to snugly engagevarious sizes of users feet.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationfor United States Letters Patent, Serial Number 726,574, tiled April 4,1958, entitled Adjustable Ski Harness, now United States Letters PatentNo. 3,010,125.

In ski harnesses, having an adjustably movable binder structure, it haslong been desirable to provide spacerguide means for supporting the'binder structure during the movement thereof in a manner which assuresthe creation of a minimum of frictional drag on the binder structureduring the movement thereof; which maintains proper alignment of thebinder structure during the adjustable movement thereof and which issubstantially open and unobstructed -so that undesired matter, such asdirt, weeds, sand etc., may not foul, hinder or hamper the movement ofthe binder structure.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a skiharness having an adjustable movably mounted binder structure withimproved spacer-guide means `for supporting the binder structure duringthe movement thereof relative to a support member.

It is also an object of this invention to provide improved spacer-guidemeans `for supporting a binder structure of a ski harness so that thebinder-structure may be readily movable to a plurality of desiredselected yfoot engaging positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved spacer-guidemeans 'for movably supporting a binder structure of a ski harness which,in effect, assures that a .minimum frictional drag will be created onthe movable binder structure during the movement thereof relative to asupport member.

A `further object of this invention is to provide improved `spacer-guidemeans for movably supporting a binder structure of a ski harness in amanner which maintains proper alignment of the binder `structurethroughout the movement thereof between a plurality of adjustablyselected desired positions.

A still further object of this invention is to provide improvedspacer-guide means 4for movably supporting a binder structure of a :skiharness at locations along a support member which enables the binderstructure to be disposed in spaced relationship to the support memberwith the space being substantially open and unobstructed and with thespacer-guide means making, in effect, minimum supporting contact withthe binder structure at the locations :so that undesirable matter, suchas dirt, weeds, sand, etc., may not foul, hinder or hamper the movementof the binder structure relative to the support member.

An additional object of this invention is t provide improvedsupporting-guide means for movably supporting a binder structure of aski harness which is economical to manufacture, durable in use, reliablein operation and which possesses commercial success having consumerappeal.

In order to accomplish the desired objects, as stated above, it lha-sbeen found by actual practice that a ski harness having the embodimentsas described, disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application S. N.726,- 574, now U.S. Patent No. 3,010,125, identified above, may beprovided with improved spacer-guide means which in the preferredembodiment includes a plurality of upstanding substantially cylindricalrotatably mounted roller-like devices which engage side edge portions ofa movably mounted plate having a counter member secured thereto with theroller-like devices each comprising a generally upstanding substantiallycylindrical roller element having a reduced portion or groove thereinwhich receives the adjacent edge portion of the movably mounted plate.The reduced portion or groove of each roller device is intermediate aspacer portion which is ydisposed adjacent a support member for spacingthe plate from the support member, i.e., either a ski or base plate, anda guide portion 'for guiding the plate during the movement thereofbetween a plurality lof selectable, desired positions. There is alsoprovided suitable securing means for securing the plate in the desiredposition relative to the support member which a user may select.

Other objects, advantageous `and important features of the inventionwill be apparent from a study of the specilication following, taken withthe drawing, which together describe, disclose `and illustrate certainembodiments of the invention and what is now considered and believed tobe the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Still otherembodiments may be suggested to those having the benet of the teachingsherein, and such other embodiments are intended to be reservedespecially as they fall within the `scope and breadth of the subjoinedclaims.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of a fragment of a water ski on which is mounteda ski harness having spacer-guide structure lfor supporting a movablymounted vamp carrying plate;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. llooking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. llooking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged isometric view of one spacerguide ydeviceillustrating the preferred embodiment thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the spacerguide deviceillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of another embodiment ofthe spacer-guide device, and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of still anotherembodiment of the spacer-guide device.

Attention is now directed to the drawing wherein there is illustrated,in FIGURES 1 3, a ski harness 10 having incorporated therein certain ofthe structural features which define the invention as described,disclosed and claimed in my coi-pending application Serial Number726,574, for Adjustable Ski Harness, now U.S. Patent No. 3,010,125,identified above. For the sake of brevity, reference will be brieflymade in the instant disclosure and description to that structure whichmay be considered as common to the inventions and if it is desired,reference may be made to application Serial Number 726,574, now U.S.Patent No. 3,010,125, identified above, for a more detailed descriptionand disclosure of such common structure.

The ski harness 10, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 3, is shown as beingmounted on a primary support member 12, such as a -water ski, only aportion of which is illustrated, and it is to be understood that the skiharness 10 may be mounted to a support member, such as another type ofski, a base plate, such as is illustrated in United States LettersPatent 2,900,648, or the like.

The ski harness 16 includes binder means or structure having a vampmember 14, of suitable material which may `be secured to the ski 12 byclamping means v16, such as clamp plates, and a heel or counter member18, also of suitable material which may be secured to longitudinallyadjustably movable mounting means 20, such as a counter plate, byclamping means 22, such as a clamp plate.

In the environment of the ski harness, as illustrated, the counter plate20 is substantially Y-shape in plan View and includes a centralgenerally longitudinally rearwardly extending elongated tail portion 24and generally longitudinally forwardly extending yoke portions 26 eachof which defines laterally spaced generally longitudinally extendingside edge portions 28 which engage vspacer-guide means 30 in a manner tobe described and disclosed in more `detail hereinafter. The central ortail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 is provided with an elongateslot 58 that extends generally longitudinally relative to the ski 12with the tail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 being slidablysupported by elongated generally longitudinally extending substantiallylaterally centrally disposed spacer-guide means 32, preferably in theform of a bar-like member or device, and it is to be noted that thecounter plate 20 is spaced above or vertically upwardly a substantialdistance from the support member 12 to define therebetween a space 34which enables undesired material such as sand, dirt, weeds, etc., frombecoming entangled with the counter plate 20 and thus hamper or hinderthe desired longitudinal movement thereof relative to the support member12.

Suitable locking and securing means 36 may be pro vided for wedging thetail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 against the spacer-guide means32 for securing the counter member 18 in any desired adjusted positionwhich a user may select.

The spacer-guide means 32 not only provides support for the tail portion24 of the counter plate 20 but also denes reaction means for the lockingand securing means 36 with the means 32 being positioned generallyvertically below the slot 58 in the tail portion 24 of the counter plate20 and extends substantially parallel relative there-to and is securedto the ski 12 in such position by securing means, such as screws 62 orthe like. YThe tail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 is slidablysupported by the means 32 for longitudinal sliding movement Itherealongduring movement of the counter member 18 between the adjustablepositions.

)The locking and securing means 36 may comprise wedge latch means 64having a relatively large, substantially flat first portion or member`66, which may be of disc-type configuration, as illustrated; suitablehandle means 68 extending generally radially therefrom; wedge means,such as ramps 70, disposed on opposed sides of an arcuate slot 72, andan opening 74 for a pivot post 76.

l1" he wedge means or ramps 70 extend inwardly from the peripheral edgeof the disc-like portion 66 and terminate at the inner extremity of theslot 72. Further, it is to Ibe noted, -in the modification asillustrated, the wedge means or ramps 70 are substantially axially ushand merge with the periphery of the disc-like portion 66 adjacent theother end of the slot 72 and extend axially upwardly and generallyradially inwardly therefrom so that the wedge means or ramps 70 areaxially spaced upwardly from the disc-like portion 66 adjacent the innerextremity of the slot 72.

.The wedge latch means 64 pivots about a generally vertical axis, suchas the pivot post 76, which as illustrated, may be a rivet-like elementsecured to the means or reaction bar-like member 32. The pivot post 76extends upwardly through an opening in the reaction bar-like member 32,through the slot 58 in the tail portion 24 and through the opening 74 inthe wedge latch means 64. Suitable head portions retain the pivot post76 to the reaction barlike member 32 and the wedge l latch means 64 onthe pivot post 76. There is further provided an upper wedge reactionmeans 78, such as a reaction post having a washer-like element thereon,which is located longitudinally rearwardly of the pivot post 76 and,which, if desired, may comprise a slotted head machine screw withrelatively fine threads which is secured into a tapped hole in thereaction bar-like member 32 or, as illustrated, may be in the form of arivet-like element similar to Ithe pivot post 76 and secured in arecessed portion of the reaction bar-like member 32.

The advantage of having the reaction post 78 in the form of a slottedhead machine screw, as compared to a rivet-like element, is that thereis the possibility that after long and extended use, wear may cause adecrease of frictional force Ibetween the Washer-like element 80 and thewedge means or ramps 70 and 4by using the slotted head machine screwadjustments may be made to compensate for such wear. The reaction post78 extends upwardly through an opening in the reaction bar-like member32 and through the slot 58 in the tail portion 24 of the counter plate20. The washer-like element 80 is freely axially longitudinally movably`disposed and carried on the upper end portion of the reaction post 78and a suitable head portion 79 retains the washer-like element 80 on thereaction post 78.

The pivot post 76 and the reaction post 78 are substantiallylongitudinally aligned and spaced from each other relative to the ski12. Further, the reaction post 78 is of slightly less diameter than theWidth of the arcuate slot 72 in the wedge latch means 64 and thewasher-like element 80 freely rides upon and in sliding engagement withthe upper surface portions of the wedge means or ramps 70.

As the wedge latch means 64 is pivoted about the pivot post 76,clockwise as seen in FIGURE 1, by the handle means 68, the arcuate slot72 receives the reaction post 78, and the wedge means or ramps 70 bearupwardly against the Washer-like element 80 which has restricted upwardmovement because of the upper head portion 79 of the reaction post 78.lIhe wedge latch means 64 consequently is urged downwardly to firmlyclamp the rtail portion 24 of the counter plate 20 between the discportion 66 and the reaction bar-like member 32, note FIGURE l whereinthe wedge latch means 64 is illustrated in solid lines as being in theclamping position.

By this wedge mechanism, the counter plate 20 and the counter member 18which is carried thereby, are immovably anchored to the ski 12 in anydesired posirtion, as selected by the user, relative to the vamp member14. l

To release the locking or securing means 36, the wedge latch means 64 ispivoted counter-clockwise until the wedge means or ramps 70 relieve theclamping force ou the tail portion 24. The counter-clockwise pivotalmovement of the handle means 68 to the unlocked position, as illustratedin dot-dash lines in FIGURE 1, is limited by stop means 82 preferablyformed by the ends of the slot 72. Further, the Stop means 82 alsofacilitates in retaining the wedge latch means 64 in proper positionrelative to the reaction post 76.

Also, the harness device 10 affords a rugged structure that will preventsidewise twisting or sliding of the counter member 18 which may besubject to severe jolts and jars when in use. The spacer-guide means 30,the post 76 and the reaction post 78 cooperate to provide a support anda device or arrangement which virtually eliminates any possibility ofthe counter plate 20 and the counter member 18 shifting laterallysidewise or transversely relative to the ski y12 with the pivot post 76and the reaction post 78 of the means 32 engaging the counter plate 20along the portion thereof which lis adjacent the slot 58 therein atspaced locations thereon and restrains the counter plate 20 againstlateral movement relative to the ski 12 during the movement of thecounter member 18 to the selected desired adjusted positions with therelatively large friction surface on the under side of the disc-likeportion 66 of the wedge latch means 64 offering sufficient frictionalcontact with the top surface of the tail portion 24 of the counter plate20, together with the frictional contact between the lower surface ofthe tail portion 24 and the upper surface of the reaction bar-likemember 32 to prevent the counter member 18 and the counter plate fromshifting when the wedge latch means 64 is in the clamping position.

It is to be understood that the means 32 and 36 may each take otherstructural configurations other than the configurations which areillustrated, disclosed, described, shown, taught or suggested as hereinstated provided that the configuration thereof will enable the structurewhich corresponds to the means 32 to have engagement with thecorresponding plate 20 at longitudinally spaced locations thereon andthe means 36 effectively clamps the corresponding plate 20 in thedesired adjustable position as Selected by the user and in this way,attention is called to the above identified `copending application,Serial Number 726,574, now U.S. Patent Number 3,010,125, which showsother embodiments that have been `found to be effectively operable.

Having thus described and disclosed a preferred embodiment wherein theimproved spacer-guide means 30 may be effectively incorporated,attention is now directed to FIGURES 4-7 which illustrate the variousembodiments of the spacer-guide means 30 which, in eachinstance,includes a generally upwardly projecting or upstanding substantiallycylindrical member or device 38 having a generally axially extendingbore 40 which enables the respective device 38 to be mounted to the ski12, by securing means 42, such as screws, bolts, rivets or the like, andby providing the bore 40l with a diameter which is larger than thediameter of the securing means 42 the device 38 will have rotationalmovement relative to the ski 12 in the direction as illustrated by thedouble headed arrows in FIGURE 1.

Each of the spacer-guide devices 30 further includes axially spacedradially enlarged lower 44 and upper 46 portions which are disposedadjacent to each of the respective end portions thereof and lat leastone radially reduced or recessed portion 48 disposed intermediate theenlarged portions 44-46 with the axial spacing between the enlarged endportions 114-46 being greater than the thickness T of the counter plate20` to define a clearance of approximately .020 of an inch therebetweenwhich is desirable to allow undesirable material `such as sand, dirt,weeds, etc., from fouling, hindering or otherwise hampering the movementof the counter plate 20. Each of the intermediate or reduced portions48' may engage the respective adjacent side edge portion 28` of thecounter plate 20 to define guide means therefor with such engagementbeing, in effect, along minimum `arcas of the side edge portions 28 andthe devices 30. Further, each of the lower enlarged portions 44 has anaxial height or thickness which is substantially equal to the height orthickness of the spacer-guide means 32 and the lower enlarged portions44 dene axially upwardly facing radially disposed surfaces 50 which mayslidably support the respective adjacent side edge portion 28 of thecounter plate 20 during the longitudinal movement thereof relative tothe ski 12.

Attention is now directed to FIGURES 4-5 of the drawing wherein thepreferred embodiment of the spacerguide -device 30 is illustratedwherein the reduced portion 48 is substantially axially andcircumferentially smooth and defines an annular surface 52 which mayengage the respective side edge portion 28 of the counter plate 20 alonga generally upwardly extending line.

In the embodiment as illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawing, theintermediate reduced portion 48 is provided with a circumferentiallycontinuous radially outwardly projecting tapering portion 54 which, ineffect, engages the respective side edge portion 28 of the counter plate20 at a point.

If desired, the intermediate portion 48 of the spacerguide device 30 mayhave an annular radially outwardly facing surface I56 which may beknurled, grooved, or in other ways roughened, as illustrated in FIGURE7, to enable a more firm engagement with the respective side portion 28of the counter plate 20.

Further, it is to be understood that the side edge portions 28 of thecounter plate 20 may also be knurled, grooved, or in other waysroughened, either in place of or together with the provision of thesurface 56 on the respective spacer-guide device 30.

While the invention has been described and disclosed in terms of certainembodiments which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the inventionshould not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments hereinshown, illustrated, described and disclosed and it is to be understoodthat other such embodiments are intended to be reserved, especially asthey fall within the scope of the claims herein subjoined.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a water ski, a ski harness comprising a counterplate having a counter member secured thereto and supporting structurefor disposing said counter plate in upwardly spaced substantially openrelationship relative to the ski and for guiding said counter plateduring movement thereof between a plurality of selectable desiredpositions, said counter plate having generally longitudinally extendinglaterally opposed edge portions and a generally longitudinal-lyextending elongated portion, said supporting structure comprising aplurality of separate and independent substantially cylindricalgenerally upstanding roller-like devices, each of said devices having areduced portion defining a groove therein disposed intermediate spacedapart upper and lower enlarged portions, means rotatably mounting saidroller-like devices to said ski in laterally spaced apart relationshiprelative to each other to enable each of said roller-like devices tohave rolling contact with the adjacent edge portion of said counterplate, said grooves of the roller-like devices each receiving theadjacent edge portion of the counter plate with the respect-ive upperenlarged portions defining guide means for guiding the counter plate andeach of said lower enlarged portions -defining spacer means for spacingthe adjacent edge portion `of the counter plate from the ski during themovement thereof between the desire-d positions and a generallylongitudinally extending elongated device secured to the ski in spacedrelationship to and disposed laterally intermediate of the roller-likedevices, said elongated device defining support means for engaging theelongated portion of the counter plate at longitudinally spacedlocations thereon to restrain the counter plate `against lateralmovement during the movement thereof between the desired positions.

2. The structure as set forth in claim l, wherein said grooves and theedge portions of said counter plate are substantially smooth and saidrolling contact is, in effect, along a line.

3. The structure as set forth in claim l, wherein said grooves areprovided 'with an outwardly tapering projection each of which engagesthe respective edge portions of the counter plate and said rollingcontact is, in effect, at the point of said engagement between theprojections and the respective edge portions of the counter plate.

4. The structure as set forth in claim l, wherein each of saidroller-like devices is unitary.

5. The structure as set forth in claim l, wherein the groove of each ofthe roller-like devices is Iprovided with a roughened surface.

6. The structure as set forth in claim l, wherein that part of the edgeportion of the counter plate which is received within the groove of therespective roller-like device is provided with a roughened surface.

7. In combination with a water ski, a -water ski harness having spacedmembers adapted to engage portions of a users foot, mounting meansVmovably mounting one of said members for movement relative to the othermember between a plurality of adjustable desired positions, saidmounting means comprising a plate having the one member secured thereto,supporting means for supporting said mounting means, said supportingmeans comprising spacer means interposed between the plate and the skito dispose said plate in upwardly spaced substantially open relationshiprelative to the ski, said spacer means comprising a plurality ofseparate and independent devices, certain of said devices being disposedin laterally spaced apart relationship relative to each other withanother of the devices being disposed in spaced apart relationshiprelative to and laterally intermediate of the said certain devices, saidcertain devices defining guide track means for supporting laterallyopposed portions of the plate to enable the plate to be moved betweenthe desired positions with said another device engaging the plate atspaced locations thereon to restrain the plate against lateral movementduring the movement of the plate between the desired positions, andmeans rotatably mounting said certain devices to the ski to enable thecertain devices to have rolling contact rwith the respective portions ofthe plate.

8. In combination with a water ski, a counter member, mounting means forsaid counter member comprising a counter plate having the counter membersecured thereto, spacer means for disposing the counter plate inupwardly spaced substantially open relationship relative to the ski,said spacer means comprising a plurality of separate and independentdevices, certain of said devices being rotatably mounted on the ski inlaterally spaced apart relationship relative to each other with at leastanother of the devices being secured to the ski in spaced apartrelationship relative to and laterally intermediate of the said certaindevices, said certain devices defining guide-track means for engagingedge portions of the counter plate and said another device definingsupport means `for engaging a central portion of the counter plate atspaced locations thereon to restrain the counter plate against lateralmovement Iwhile enabling the counter plate to be moved in a generallylongitudinal direction between a plurality of adjusted positionsrelative to the ski, and means for securing the counter plate in aselected adjusted position.

9. In combination with a water ski, a counter member, mounting means forsaid counter member comprising a counter plate having the counter membersecured thereto, spacer means for disposing the counter plate inupwardly spaced substantially open relationship relative to the ski,said spacer means comprising a plurality of separate and independentdevices, certain of said devices being secured to the ski in laterallyspaced apart relationship relative to each other with another of thedevices being secured to the ski in spaced apart relationship relativeto the said certain devices, said certain devices defining guide-trackmeans -for supporting edge portions of the counter plate and saidanother device defining support means for engaging the counter plate atspaced locations thereon to restrain the counter plate against lateralmovement and for slideably guiding and supporting the counter plate toenable the counter member to be moved between a plurality of adjustedpositions relative to the ski, and means for securing the counter memberin a selected adjusted position.

l0. A 'water ski harness having a foot-engaging member, mounting andsupport means for movably supporting said foot-engaging member -formovement between a plurality of adjustable desired positions, saidmounting and support means comprising a plate having the foot-engagingmember secured thereto and spacer means for interposing between theplate and a ski to space said plate upwardly therefrom in substantiallyopen relationship thereto, said spacer means comprising a plurality oflaterally spaced apart roller-like devices defining guide-track meansfor supporting laterally opposed portions of the plate and anotherdevice separate and independent of said roller-like devices, means forrotatably mounting the roller-like devices to a ski to enable theroller-like devices to have rolling contact with the respective portionsof the plate, means for securing the another device to a ski in spacedrelationship to the roller-like devices for supporting a portion of theplate, and means for engaging the plate at spaced locations thereon torestrain the plate against lateral movement during movement of thefootengaging member between the adjusted positions.

11. A water ski harness having a foot-engaging member, mounting andsupport means for movably supporting said foot-engaging member formovement between a plurality of adjustable desired positions, saidmounting and support means comprising a plate having the foot-engagingmember secured thereto and spacer means for interposing between theplate and a ski to space said plate upwardly therefrom in substantiallyopen relationship thereto, said spacer means comprising a plurality oflaterally spaced lapart members defining guide-track means forsupporting laterally opposed portions of the plate and another memberseparate and independent of said spaced members, said another memberbeing disposed intermediate of and in spaced relationship to the spacedmembers for supporting a central portion of the plate, and means forengaging the plate at spaced locations thereon to restrain the plateagainst lateral movement during the movement of the foot-engaging memberbetween the adjusted positions.

12. In combination with a water ski, a counter member, mounting meansfor said counter member comprising a counter plate having the countermember secured thereto, said counter plate having longitudinallyextending side edge portions and a generally longitudinally extendingelongated portion, spacer means interposed between the counter plate andthe ski to dispose the counter plate in upwardly spaced substantiallyopen relationship to the ski, said spacer means comprising a pluralityof separate and independent members, certain of said members beingsecured to the ski in laterally spaced apart relationship relative toeach other with another of the members being secured to the ski inspaced apart relationship relative to and laterally intermediate of thesaid certain members, said certain members defining guide-track meansfor supporting the side edge portions of the counter plate and saidanother member defining support means for engaging the longitudinallyextending elongated portion of the counter plate lat longitudinallyspaced locations thereon to restrain the counter plate against lateralmovement and for slideably guiding and supporting the counter plate toenable the counter member to be moved in a generally longitudinaldirection between a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the ski,and means for securing the counter member in a selected adjustedposition.

13. A water ski harness having a foot-engaging member, mounting andsupport means for movably supporting said foot-engaging member forgenerally longitudinal movement between a plurality of adjustabledesired positions, said mounting and support means comprising a platehaving the foot-engaging member secured thereto and spacer means forinterposing between the plate and a ski to space said plate upwardlytherefrom in substantially open relationship thereto, said plate havinga generally longitudinally extending elongated portion, said spacermeans comprising a plurality of laterally spaced apart members definingguide-track means for supporting laterally opposed portions of the plateand an elongated longitudinally extending member separate andindependent of said spaced members, said elongated member being disposedintermediate of and in spaced relationship to the spaced members forsupporting the elongated portion of the plate, and means for engagingthe elongated portion of the plate to restrain the plate against lateralmovement LA l 9 10 during the longitudinal movement of the foot-engaging2,740,972 Taylor Apr. 10, 1956 member between the adjusted positions.2,862,772 Gussack Dec. 2, 1958 2,866,210 Romig Dec. 30, 1958 ReferencesCited in the le of this patent 2,873,150 Hutzelman Feb. 10, 1959 UNITEDTAT PATENT 5 S ES s FOREIGN PATENTS 2,114,929 Leell Apr. 19, 19382,596,202 Bolte May 13 1952 317,829 SWIZellaHd Jal. 31, 1957

11. A WATER SKI HARNESS HAVING A FOOT-ENGAGING MEMBER, MOUNTING ANDSUPPORT MEANS FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID FOOT-ENGAGING MEMBER OFMOVEMENT BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF ADJUSTABLE DESIRED POSITIONS, SAIDMOUNTING AND SUPPORT MEANS COMPRISING A PLATE HAVING THE FOOT-ENGAGINGMEMBER SECURED THERETO AND SPACER MEANS FOR INTERPOSING BETWEEN THEPLATE AND A SKI TO SPACE AND PLATE UPWARDLY THEREFROM IN SUBSTANTIALLYOPEN RELATIONSHIP THERETO, SAID SPACER MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OFLATERALLY SPACED APART MEMBERS DEFINING GUIDE-TRACK MEANS FOR SUPPORTINGLATERALLY OPPOSED PORTIONS OF THE PLATE AND ANOTHER MEMBER SEPARATE ANDINDEPENDENT OF SAID SPACED MEMBERS, SAID ANOTHER MEMBER BEING DISPOSEDINTERMEDIATE OF AND IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO THE SPACED MEMBERS FORSUPPORTING A CENTRAL PORTION OF THE PLATE, AND MEANS FOR ENGAGING THEPLATE AT SPACED LOCATIONS THEREON TO RESTRAIN THE PLATE AGAINST LATERALMOVEMENT DURING THE MOVEMENT OF THE FOOT-ENGAGING MEMBER BETWEEN THEADJUSTED POSITIONS.